Frequently Asked Questions

 


Every online site has its FAQs, right?  Most do and I will post a few here.

Are you going to meet with people on Sundays and Wednesdays?

I would prefer not to come to your house on a Sunday or Wednesday. I am not in competition with those congregations that meet on those days. I will make exceptions for those whose work/school schedules are prohibitive of other times, but I don’t want to be part of a choice between attending a worship service or asking me questions.

And  I do  want you to ask me questions.

 

Will  I do an Online Version of Mattthew’s House?

At this time, I will not be doing questions and answers online. People have become too disconnected.  Most online discussions are too shallow anyway.

People need live conversations and the online versions fall short. So for now, I will use my online platform to post some recurring questions and answers, not to answer everything but to encourage others to ask their questions.

 

What about children? 

That will be up to you and those others that you invite to your house. I will answer questions from adults and children alike. Here is what I have noticed about children.

They listen, at least for a while. They listen to what you might think are adult questions too and they will try to come up with their own answers.

Don’t ever think that they are not listening.

When we meet, you decide if the children will be present or not.

I don’t want to meet with children only. You should hear both their questions and my answers. So, if there are children present, please make sure they are with an adult from their household or another trusted adult.

What if the children have questions after I leave? Do your best to explore with them as I did with you. Invite me back with their questions and yours. Questions are a good thing. They should prompt exploration.


What about the consumption of alcoholic beverages?

As I have said before, we are meeting in your home. What is normal for you?

I suggest that everyone be of sound or sober mind as I expect to discuss important things and engage your mind. You probably wouldn’t invite me if you didn’t want this as well.

Please refrain from substances deemed illegal while I am there. Remember that you are inviting me to talk about God, so let’s do what we can to stick to that.


What about smoking?

It’s your house, but I do have some asthma, and a lot of smoke sometimes causes it to kick in. I am better at what I do if I can breathe, but I survived several months in the oil fires that burned in Kuwait after the first Gulf War and expect that I can work with most situations.


So why does your picture have you with a cigar?

I didn’t want to use a picture of me with a coat and tie or a robe or anything that might say, “I’m coming to preach.”

I’m coming to talk. I hope that we have a relaxed gathering for serious questions.

I will still have plenty of opportunities to dress up a little as I preach around the state or nation.

Here is a little insight into my cigar. When I travel, especially on a cruise, I like to smoke a cigar. You have to go to a designated area with other smokers.  I let them know that I am a rookie at smoking but that the people there seem to like to talk more. They do.

Inevitably, we end up talking about God. People have questions and concerns. Some think they have done things for which God can’t forgive them. Some are just hurting.

Others love God and serve him every day. Many are in between. Many are listening in and conversations broaden.


What about profanity?

Let’s do our best to be temperate in language. Let’s try to converse without being vulgar, but you won’t scare me off.

I served 20 years in the Marine Corps and work a couple more as a counselor in a prison. I’ve heard it all, to include a variety vulgarity variations, but prefer not to practice them.

In fact, I developed a course for overcoming profanity. I taught it to inmate students as well as in individual counseling.

So, let’s do our best not to be profane, but don’t feel that you can’t invite me over because you might say something you didn’t want to in front of the preacher.


More later...

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